Here Comes Santa Claus/ He's A Chubby Little Fellow

Originally released on Columbia 37942 (78rpm). This is the first 45 rpm release of one of Gene Autry's signature Christmas tunes, from 1951. It's on the yellow Columbia label with red print, and has Christmas graphics on the label.

If Autry had done nothing else in his career, he would be well remembered today for introducing the world to these two Christmas standards. Of course, he did do many other things, including bringing "Frosty the Snowman" and "Peter Cottontail" to the U.S. repertoire of children's music. And prior to becoming famous for this quatro of tunes, Autry had already broken barriers as the first country singer in movies and had a long string of country hits going back to the 1930's. Autry died at age 91 in 1998.

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Note: The label has some ringwear, and some tears at the spindle hole edge where a 45 rpm adapter was removed. The audio is much better than the vinyl appearance would lead you to believe.